Dr. Antonio M. Gotto, Jr. Receives National Medical Fellowships' Excellence in Academic Medicine Award
Dr. Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., dean emeritus, a professor of medicine and a member of the board of overseers at Weill Cornell Medical College, has been awarded the National Medical Fellowships' Excellence in Academic Medicine Award.
Dr. Antonio M. Gotto, Jr.
The award recognizes Dr. Gotto's lifelong achievements and contributions to academic medicine, specifically his work that established the Office of Faculty Diversity in Medicine and Science at Weill Cornell, which inspired students and furthered their medical education. Dr. Gotto accepted the award at the annual NMF New York Champions of Health Awards Dinner on April 13.
"This award is close to my heart, and I'm thankful to have received it," Dr. Gotto said. "While my work on cardiovascular disease is important, just as important is my lifelong focus on inspiring, mentoring and educating a diverse generation of future physicians."
In order to nurture these physicians, Dr. Gotto spent his 15 years as the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College spearheading projects that led to unprecedented growth across the institution. During his tenure, Cornell University, in partnership with Weill Cornell, established a medical school in Qatar. Weill Cornell also forged a relationship with Houston Methodist in Texas, established a formal affiliation with Bugando Medical Centre in Tanzania, opened the Weill Greenberg Center, and was instrumental in building the adjacent Belfer Research Building, which opened in January 2014. All of this growth ensured that students and faculty at Weill Cornell were given the best chance at a successful future.
The National Medical Fellowships were also created to give physicians — specifically underrepresented minority physicians — a brighter future. Conceived by Dr. Franklin McLean in 1946, today this non-profit continues to nurture African-American physicians and others minorities within the healthcare workforce. This honor acknowledges Dr. Gotto's work to fulfill NMF's mission and "change the face of medicine," ensuring that everyone gets quality healthcare, especially people in underserved communities.
"I've gained a great deal of satisfaction and have learned a lot from patients, students and colleagues over the years," Dr. Gotto said. "Supporting broad diversity at Weill Cornell has only enriched my experience here, and ensured that patients from all backgrounds and walks of life are given the best care."
Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori Awarded the Padma Shri for Distinguished Contributions in Medicine
Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori, a professor of clinical radiation oncology, has been awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civil awards, by the Government of India.
Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori
The award, which was established in 1954, recognizes Indian citizens who have contributed in various areas including education, social service and medicine, and was presented to Dr. Nori by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee at a ceremony on April 8.
Recognized for his contribution to cancer care and his international reputation as an authority and pioneer in radiation oncology and brachytherapy — a cancer treatment that inserts radioactive implants into the tissue — Dr. Nori's research seeks to improve the outcome for patients with cancer of the prostate, lung, pancreas, breast and other areas. He was also instrumental in introducing the current techniques and clinical concepts of high-dose rate brachytherapy for gynecological, genitourinary, thoracic, and head and neck tumors.
In honor of Dr. Nori's distinguished and exceptional achievements in oncology research, the American Cancer Society bestowed on him its prestigious "Tribute to Life" award. Additionally, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center presented him with the "Most Distinguished Physician" award.
In 2014, Dr. Nori was honored with the Ellis Island Medal Honor, one of the highest civilian awards in the United States, for exemplifying outstanding qualities in both his personal and professional life and for making enduring contributions in the United States and the world.
The Padma Shri award further acknowledged Dr. Nori's efforts to start and upgrade several cancer centers in India, South America and Israel. This included the Indo-American Cancer Institute for Women and Children, a 500-bed cancer and research institute located in Hyderabad, the capital of the Indian state of Telangana.
Dr. Nori is also a consultant to the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency and advises on the formulation of guidelines for the treatment of cancer in developing countries.
Weill Cornell’s Headstrong Project Receives the Morgan Stanley Strategy Challenge to Combat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Nationwide
The Headstrong Project, co-directed by Dr. Ann Beeder of Weill Cornell Medical College, has been selected by the financial services corporation Morgan Stanley as one of nine recipients to receive the Morgan Stanley Strategy Challenge. The challenge brings together top-performing employees from across the Morgan Stanley firm for an eight-week pro bono consulting project that assists nonprofit partners.
A partnership with Weill Cornell, the Headstrong Project offers evidence-based treatment for Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans in the New York City and Tri-State area. Experts at Weill Cornell Medical College provide personalized treatment for individual veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and also offer peer-to-peer counseling — all of which is free and confidential. Assisted by the services of Morgan Stanley employees, the project will be able to expand its reach beyond New York City into other cities around the United States.
"This is an exciting time for our division as we look forward to bringing needed assistance to post-9/11 veterans living across the country," said Dr. Beeder, the Jeanette and Jeffrey Lasdon Associate Professor of Clinical Public Health and Psychiatry and a professor of clinical medicine, of clinical healthcare policy and research, and of clinical psychiatry. "Morgan Stanley is supporting this mission-critical strategic issue by drawing on our integrated and qualitative expertise in the area of post-traumatic stress disorder."
Since its inception in 2009, challenge teams have delivered more than 45,000 hours of pro bono service and nearly $7 million of services to many nonprofit organizations.
Additional Awards and Honors
Dr. Sylvia Karasu, a clinical professor of psychiatry, was selected to be a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine on Oct. 14. An independent organization since 1847, the academy seeks to address the health challenges facing the world’s urban populations through interdisciplinary approaches to policy leadership, innovative research, evaluation, education and community engagement.
Dr. Harel Weinstein, chair of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, and the Maxwell M. Upson Professor of Physiology and Biophysics, gave the second annual Drs. Gabor and Harriette Kaley Endowed Lectureship at New York Medical College on Nov. 20. Dr. Weinstein’s talk was titled "Molecular Machines of Cell Signaling: Transporters, GPCRs."
Dr. Theodore Schwartz, the David and Ursel Barnes Professor of Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, and a professor of neurological surgery, neurological surgery in otolaryngology, and neuroscience, was named the first David and Ursel Barnes Professor of Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery in November. The endowed professorship was made possible by a gift from David Barnes and his wife, Dr. Ursula Barnes.